Tipping for personal services, particularly in the beauty industry, seems like an obvious courtesy, yet recent discussions have revealed ongoing confusion regarding gratuity norms, especially after a viral TikTok video sparked widespread debate.

On Sunday, a TikTok user known as Justice, who operates under the handle @antidietpilot, shared her controversial decision to forego tipping after receiving an extravagant set of hair braids that cost her $350. These intricate knotless braids, adorned with a stylish French curl at the tips, required over seven hours of meticulous work to complete.

In her video, which has quickly garnered over 5.1 million views, Justice expressed her satisfaction with the final results, praising her stylist as the best braider she had ever worked with. However, she provided her rationale for not tipping, stating, She didnt have to commute [and] shes not paying any overhead because she works from home. Justice argued that the price was fair, questioning how many individuals can earn approximately $40 an hour.

Despite her initial nervousness about the stylist's potential reaction, Justice remained firm and unapologetic in her stance. She elaborated, A lot of people say tipping is how you say thank you, but to me, saying thank you is how you say thank you. This statement reflects her belief that acknowledgement and respect for the stylist's work can take many forms beyond monetary tips. She further explained, Respecting peoples policies, arriving to your appointment on time, letting them take photos of their work afterward, and sharing their services with friends or social media followers [is how you say thank you].

However, not everyone was in agreement with Justices perspective. Many commenters who support the tradition of tipping pointed out the considerable duration of her appointment, highlighting that such lengthy service warrants a gratuity. One user remarked, Not tipping on your fast food or Starbucks is fine, but 7.5 HOURS? I would never not tip.

Interestingly, a significant portion of the online community resonated with Justices viewpoint. In the wake of rising inflation, many users expressed their concerns over the growing pressures of tipping culture. One commenter stated, The entire cost is going to her. Tipping isnt required, while another affirmed, Absolutely right. People who braid [or] do makeup definitely charge their worth. Tipping culture in the U.S. is crazy sometimes.

The phenomenon of tipping in America continues to be a complex issue. According to a 2023 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, over 70% of Americans believe that the expectation to tip has increased over the past five years. Yet, there remains considerable uncertainty surrounding when and how much to tip, as only about one-third of respondents reported that its extremely or very easy to determine the appropriateness of tipping in various situations.

As the discussion unfolds, hairstylists themselves hold differing views on the subject of gratuities. This multifaceted issue underscores not only personal preferences but also broader societal trends and expectations surrounding compensation in service-oriented fields.